L&T launches second coast guard OPV

Larsen and Tourbo (L&T) has launched the second in a series of seven offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) being built for the Indian Coast Guard, the company announced on 22 January.

The vessel, named CGS Vijaya, was launched at the company’s shipyard at Kattupalli, near Chennai.

L&T received the contract from the Indian Ministry of Defence in March 2015 for design and construction of seven OPVs. The first OPV was launched in October 2017 and is currently undergoing trials.

The fleet will be deployed for coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy with limited wartime roles.

The OPV measures 97m in length, 15m in width, has 3.6m draught and 2,140 tonne displacement with a range of 5000 nautical miles. It can attain sustained speeds of up to 26 knots and is equipped for helicopter operations.

The design and construction processes have undergone dual certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Registrar of Shipping, and the project is being overseen by the Indian Coast Guard’s resident team at Kattupalli shipyard.